The Truth Behind OFW Sacrifice and Discrimination
Source: Harvard international Review
The Heroic Sacrifice of OFWs
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have long been hailed as the modern-day heroes, or bagong bayani, of the Philippines. They leave behind their homes and families to work abroad, often in challenging conditions, to provide for their loved ones and contribute to the country’s economy. These sacrifices are not just personal but national, as OFWs' remittances make up nearly 11% of the Philippine economy. They are celebrated for their resilience, hard work, and the financial lifeline they send back home.
However, beneath the surface of these commendations lies a darker truth. The experience of an OFW is often filled with hardship, discrimination, and even racism in their host countries. While their sacrifices are acknowledged, the systemic issues that force them into these situations are rarely discussed. This blog will dive into the hidden challenges faced by OFWs—the discrimination they endure, the trauma of long-term separation, and the poor working conditions that are often ignored.
The Economic Sacrifice of OFWs
The decision to become an OFW is almost always financially motivated. Many Filipinos leave the Philippines in search of better job opportunities and higher wages that are otherwise unavailable at home. While these economic opportunities abroad seem promising, they often come at a steep personal cost.
For instance, many OFWs, particularly domestic workers, are bound by contracts that often tie them to long working hours and low wages. These individuals may spend months or even years in foreign countries, working to send money back to their families. The constant pressure to provide for loved ones forces them to endure difficult living and working conditions, sacrificing their own well-being for the financial stability of their families.
At times, these sacrifices are romanticized by society. OFWs are praised for their “resilience” and “grit,” but this narrative fails to address the systemic failures in the Philippines that make overseas work seem like the only viable option for so many. It also glosses over the suffering many endure abroad—financial exploitation, overwork, and inadequate legal protections. As much as OFWs are honored, they are also victimized by an economic system that leaves them vulnerable.
Racism Faced by OFWs in Host Countries
One of the harshest realities faced by OFWs abroad is the experience of racism and discrimination. Despite being the backbone of many households and industries abroad, Filipino workers are often treated as second-class citizens. From verbal abuse to physical maltreatment, OFWs endure various forms of racism while working in foreign lands.
In some cases, OFWs, especially domestic workers, face overt discrimination from their employers. Stories of workers being denied days off, underpaid, or forced to live in substandard accommodations are all too common. Many employers also hold onto workers' passports, effectively trapping them in their jobs. This kind of treatment highlights a clear racial hierarchy in which OFWs, primarily people of color from a developing nation, are marginalized and dehumanized.
Beyond domestic work, Filipino professionals in industries such as healthcare and engineering also experience discrimination in the workplace. Despite their qualifications, they are sometimes passed over for promotions or treated unfairly by colleagues and superiors. Racism is not just an interpersonal issue; it manifests in systemic ways, limiting the opportunities and rights of OFWs.
Discrimination Based on Nationality and Status
Racism against OFWs isn't just about skin color or ethnicity—it often intersects with nationality and employment status. Filipino workers are frequently pigeonholed into certain kinds of labor, like caregiving, cleaning, or construction, due to widespread stereotypes. In many countries, these jobs are seen as low-status, which perpetuates a cycle of discrimination. Even if a Filipino worker has higher qualifications, they are often overlooked in favor of native-born workers.
This form of discrimination extends beyond the workplace. OFWs in many countries are treated as outsiders and are not afforded the same rights as local citizens. They face restrictions in accessing healthcare, legal aid, and other essential services. Their foreign status becomes a barrier, and they must navigate the added challenges of discrimination, language barriers, and isolation.
The Emotional Toll of Long-Term Separation
The emotional toll of being an OFW is profound, particularly when it comes to family separation. Many OFWs leave behind spouses, children, and elderly parents to pursue work abroad. The lengthy periods of time spent away from home create emotional gaps that can never be fully filled by the financial support they send back.
Children of OFWs often grow up without the constant presence of their parents. While the material needs of these children may be met, the emotional void can have long-term consequences. Studies have shown that children of OFWs are more likely to experience feelings of abandonment, loneliness, and even resentment. This emotional toll weighs heavily on OFWs, who are often forced to make an impossible choice between providing financial support or being physically present in their families' lives.
Mental Health and Isolation
The mental health of OFWs is another often-overlooked aspect of their sacrifice. Working in a foreign country, often with limited social support, can lead to feelings of isolation and depression. Many OFWs report high levels of stress due to the pressure to send money back home and the difficulties they face in their host countries. The stigma surrounding mental health issues in Filipino culture further exacerbates these struggles, leaving many OFWs to cope in silence.
Moreover, the cultural disconnection experienced by OFWs adds to their emotional burden. Living in a country where their language, customs, and traditions are not widely understood or respected can heighten their feelings of alienation. It is not uncommon for OFWs to feel as though they are trapped in a cycle of sacrifice, where they are neither fully accepted abroad nor fully connected to life back home.
Why the Narrative Needs to Change
While it is important to honor the sacrifices of OFWs, we must also move beyond the simple narrative of praise. Calling OFWs heroes without addressing the systemic issues they face only serves to maintain the status quo. By focusing solely on their "sacrifice," we ignore the exploitation, racism, and mental health challenges that plague their everyday lives.
The discussion needs to shift from admiration to advocacy. OFWs should not have to sacrifice their dignity or mental well-being to provide for their families. The Filipino government, in particular, has a responsibility to create more sustainable job opportunities at home so that leaving the country is no longer the best or only option for economic survival.
Calling for Better Protection and Rights
Governments of host countries also need to be held accountable. Filipino workers contribute significantly to economies worldwide, yet they are frequently denied basic protections and rights. Laws should be in place to protect OFWs from abuse and discrimination, and these laws need to be enforced strictly.
Organizations that support OFWs, both in the Philippines and abroad, play a crucial role in advocating for these rights. By offering legal aid, mental health support, and educational resources, these groups empower OFWs to stand up against unfair treatment and navigate the challenges of working overseas.
Honoring OFWs by Addressing the Truth
The story of Overseas Filipino Workers is one of both immense sacrifice and untold hardship. While they are rightfully lauded for their contributions, the darker side of their experience—the discrimination, racism, emotional trauma, and exploitation—needs to be addressed. We must recognize that simply praising OFWs is not enough. It is time to engage in a more honest conversation about how to protect their rights, improve their working conditions, and provide them with the emotional and social support they need.
Only by acknowledging these truths can we move towards a future where OFWs are not just celebrated for their sacrifices but are also protected from harm and treated with the dignity they deserve.
Stop the Hate Program Funding
The California Government Code § 8260 authorizes the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), in consultation with the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs (CAPIAA), to administer the Stop the Hate (STH) Program that awards funding to qualified nonprofit organizations to provide support and services to victims and survivors of hate incidents and hate crimes and their families and facilitate hate incident or hate crime prevention measures.
Funded Support and Services may include:
Direct services for victims and survivors of hate incidents and hate crimes and their families, including mental and complementary health services; wellness and community healing; legal services; navigation, case management, and referrals;
Prevention services, including arts and cultural work, youth development, senior safety and escort programs, safety planning, training; and cross-racial alliance work; and
Intervention services, including outreach, training, restorative justice, coordination with local government and institutional partners, and coordinated regional rapid response.
Resources
CA vs. Hate: CA vs. Hate is a way to report hate incidents or hate crimes online or over the phone and receive support and resources without necessarily involving law enforcement. People who report a hate incident or hate crime through this service will be connected with a professional trained in culturally competent communication and trauma-informed practices.
California State Library’s Ethnic Media Outreach Grant: The Ethnic Media Outreach Grant aims to build public awareness of the Stop the Hate Program. Grants are awarded to ethnic media outlets and collaboratives serving communities that are historically vulnerable to hate incidents and hate crimes.
California Department of Justice’s Hate Crime Resources Page: This page provides information on the differences between hate crimes and hate incidents, tips on how to spot a hate crime, and help for what to do if you are the target of a hate crime.
Stop AAPI Hate’s Community Resources Page: This page provides resources for mental health, safety tips, and guides to help you know your rights if you are facing discrimination.
California Attorney General’s 2022 Hate Crime Report: This report presents statistics on hate crimes reported by California law enforcement agencies that occurred during 2022 with prior years included for context. These statistics include the reported number of hate crime events, hate crime offenses, victims of hate crimes, and suspects of hate crimes.
AAPI Equity Alliance’s Resources for the Monterey Park Shootings
Picture Source: Harvard International Review